Apple is hosting its 31st Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next week. Due to the coronavirus outbreak globally, the Cupertino giant is hosting WWDC as an online-only event with free entry for all for the first time. It will take place between June 22nd and 26th, starting with a special talk of the event. Apple is expected to announce new versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS at WWDC 2020. In addition, the event will host over 100 engineering sessions and individual developer labs to help developers build their new range of apps for Apple devices. But what all should be released at WWDC 2020?
Launch of new Apple hardware
Apple usually showcases its state-of-the-art software developments at WWDC. But in recent years, we’ve seen the company unveiling its new hardware alongside announcing software updates. He brought HomePod and new Mac Pro at WWDC in 2017 and 2019 respectively. So Apple evidently used WWDC to launch their new devices. This trend is likely to continue, bringing some new hardware releases this year. The new hardware-focused announcements will likely come during the special keynote that will be held at 10am PDT (10:30pm IST) on Monday, June 22nd.
iMac 2020
At WWDC 2020, Apple is rumored to be unveiling a new iMac desktop that would feature an iPad Pro-like design and thin bezels. The 2020 iMac is rumored to have a T2 coprocessor and AMD Navi GPU. While Apple has yet to make any official confirmation regarding its new iMac model, some evidence has surfaced via the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) of Russia.
ARM-based Mac announcement
Along with the new iMac, Apple reportedly plans to announce its early move to ARM-based Mac computers at this year’s WWDC. The company may reveal the development of its own ARM-based chips that would power its new Mac desktops and notebooks in 2021. Apple is rumored to unveil “several” ARM-based machines in the coming year. That said, Apple likely won’t be showing off any of its new Mac models powered by its in-house chips at the developer conference.
software updates
In addition to new hardware-focused developments, Apple will showcase its new software updates at WWDC 2020. The company is likely to reveal iOS 14, iPadOS 14, tvOS 14, watchOS 7 and macOS 10.16, as well as showcasing its new development tools. Additionally, there would be some announcements centered on Augmented Reality (AR) taking place at the upcoming conference.
iOS 14
According to an early iOS 14 development code, Apple appears to offer the new software update on all iPhone models running iOS 13. This means that the upcoming iOS version would be compatible even with the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, both of which were released with iOS 9 in September 2015. There would also be an updated Find My app that is rumored to include new sound and vibration signals to help users find their lost Apple devices through new experiences. Additionally, the new iOS version is said to include a new fitness app with guided videos and an improved messaging app.
Apple is likely to bring iOS 14 with the ability to let users set third-party apps as their default browser, email, and music apps. There would also be an option to allow developers to create wallpapers that would be applied directly from the wallpaper settings. Additionally, the new version of iOS would include support for Apple Tags, also known as AirTags, which are expected to debut later this year.
iPadOS 14
Except for different compatibility, iPadOS 14 is likely to have all the new features that are going to iPhone users through iOS 14. That means you’ll get the updated Gobi app and Find My app, as well as options to set third-party apps as the default system apps and the fitness app with guided videos. Furthermore, the new iPadOS would bring an OCR function for the Apple Pencil. You can also expect full mouse cursor functionality through the next generation software.
tvOS 14
Apple is expected to provide a brand new interface in tvOS 14 to provide a fresh feel to Apple TV users. There would also be some content updates and performance improvements. Also, users would get a dedicated kids mode in the new tvOS version to help them restrict certain content from their kids. The new platform is also expected to bring a Screen Time feature that has been around on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices for some time, as reported by Apple Insider. Additionally, Apple TV users are expected to get the fitness app, which is also expected to come to iOS and iPadOS.
watchOS 7
An early watchOS 7 code hinted at parental controls and an updated control center. The new version would also bring the ability to share the watch face setting with your friends. Additionally, Apple watch users will get a new Infograph Pro watch face that would come bundled with a tachymeter, reports 9to5Mac.
macOS 10.16
At WWDC 2020, Mac users are expected to receive macOS 10.16 as their new software. It is likely that the next generation macOS will include some features that would be part of iOS 14. This includes a translation feature that can work similarly to Google Translate. Apple can also detail all the benefits and changes that macOS developers would get on ARM-based Mac machines.
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